Page 30 of Spies Don’t Fall for Their Best Friend

We wander down another aisle, and I stop to pick up a package that confused me at first glance. “Oh, these are pacifier wipes! Huh. I thought you were just supposed to wash them.”

Zoe picks up an object near the pacifier wipes, turning it around and around. “No, apparently you’re supposed to also sanitize them. It’s like they have their own little tanning bed.”

Miles is going to get a kick out of this. I pull my phone back out to text him.

Reese: Zoe found something that sterilizes pacifiers using lasers.

Miles: If it starts asking for a retinal scan, walk away quickly.

Reese: [saluting emoji]

Miles: It sounds like you’re all having fun.

Reese: We are. Zoe is evaluating everything for how it would hold up in extreme circumstances. The turning radius of strollers. The weight distribution of baby carriers. How fast you’d be able to find something in one of the pockets in a diaper bag.

Miles: Sounds about right.

Reese: Charlie is aww-ing at every miniature version of everything. Sunglasses. Rain boots. Bathrobes. Hair (or head, since most babies are bald) accessories. All while trying to get everyone to decide on details for the shower.

I notice through my peripheral vision that the group is moving toward the cribs, and I follow along as I text.

Reese: Livi is the master at giving shopping advice. When each of the big things will go on sale next, if something is a good price, which brand has the best ratings, and if another store would be better for some items.

Reese: I asked her how she knows so much about shopping for babies, and she said she has spreadsheets for her research. That made Charlie get choked up and look at Livi like she was seeing her in a whole new light before throwing her arms around her in a hug.

Reese: Then Livi admitted that the spreadsheets are all just stored in her head, and now Charlie is eyeing her like she can’t figure out whether that still counts or if it is extra impressive.

Miles: My money’s on “Extra impressive.”

Reese: Charlie still looks undecided.

Miles: Give her a minute. She’s recalibrating.

Reese: Oh, and Mackenzie is scanning away. I think her registry is at the point of needing chapters by now. Not to mention her list of things to come back and get when Jace is with her. That, and she’s second-guessing how ready she is to take care of the baby when it’s on the outside and not nearly as easy to care for as when it’s on the inside.

Miles: Has anyone reminded her that the baby has literally never done this before either?

I laugh and look up to see all four women just standing there, not moving, looking at me. Mackenzie has a jar of nipple cream in her hand that I’m not even sure she realizes she’s holding.

“What?”

None of them say anything for a moment, then Zoe puts a hand on her hip. “When are you and Miles going to just admit you’re in love and start dating already?”

“Zoe, I’m not in love with Miles. He’s just my best friend.”

Zoe raises an eyebrow.

She clearly doesn’t believe me, and I suddenly feel the need to defend myself. “I’m not.”

“Okay.”

“I’m not. If I were in love with Miles, would I be fine with him dating other women?” Mic drop right there. “I’m always fine with him dating.”

“Of course you are,” Charlie says. “Because Miles never actually keeps dating anyone.”

“But would you be fine if he dated someone for real?” Livi asks. “If he had an actual girlfriend?”

I have a hard time even picturing it. My go-to is to not picture it or even think about it, and instead, joke it away. It always works for me. “Sure. As long as she appreciates color-coded library shelves.”